ELECTRIC CARS CHARGE INTO BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

ELECTRIC CARS CHARGE INTO BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

Birmingham Airport in the UK has become one of the first in the country to join the 'electric highway' and offer fast charging for electric motorists.

Green energy company Ecotricity powers their Electric Highway with 100% renewable energy from the wind and the sun, allowing 35 different models of electric and plug-in hybrid cars to recharge in between 20 and 30 minutes.

Such is the rate of growth in electric cars, that the motoring industry is on track to sell more electric vehicles in the first six months of 2015 than in the previous four years combined.

The Electric Highway is a central part of this success story – for the first time powering one million miles in a month during May and scheduled to reach two million miles a month by the end of the year.

Jo Lloyd, commercial director at Birmingham Airport, said: “We’re always looking at new and innovative ways of improving the passenger experience at Birmingham Airport, which is why we have installed these electric charging points.

“The growing popularity of electric and hybrid cars means it is vital we provide the facilities that will enable our passengers to travel to-and-from the airport as easily as possible. We’re extremely proud to support this green form of energy and the obvious benefits it brings to the environment.”

The Electric Highway has installed nearly 250 electricity pumps at over 150 locations across Britian and claims to have covered 95% of Britain’s motorway service stations and powered more than seven million miles of free travel since its inception.

It currently has around 20,000 members, growing at 1,300 new members each month.

Dale Vince, found of Ecotricity, added: “With our electricity pumps at 95% of the motorway network, we’re well on our way to making electric cars a practical, everyday choice for drivers in Britain.

“Installing pumps at Birmingham is the next phase of our national network which enables electric cars to drive the length and breadth of Britain.

"Now e-drivers can charge up at the airport if they’re picking up, dropping off, or on their way in and out of the country.”